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n "Scygog's Community Newspaper of Choice Ww] 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONT. - LOL 1B7 - PHONE (905) 985-7383 FAX (905) 985-3708 E-Mail: port.perry.star@sympatico.ca } NETH AN Publications Mail Registrations No. 07881 Subscription Rates: 1 Year - $32.10 6 Months - $17.65 Foreign - $90.95 Includes $2.10 GST Includes $1.15 GST Includes $5.95 GST VERIFIED CIRCULATION Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. - BUSINESS OFFICE [+] Canadian & MARS i Assoc Office Mgr. .......cc.covvvcnnnnec Gayle Stapley cc) ana Cn Published every Tuesday by the ¥ CNA Accounting.......Judy Ashby, Janet Rankin Retail Sales...... Kathy Dudley, Heather Callan EDITORIAL: Publisher........ccceee... J. Peter Hvidsten General Manager ....Don Macleod Managing Editor..... Jeff Mitchell News Reporters .....Chris Hall Freelance - Heather McCrae, John B. McClelland PRODUCTION Bell, Richard Drew 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Ont. Trudy Empringham, Pam Hickey, Rhonda Mulcahy, Robert Taylor, Barb ADVERTISING Advertising Mgr. .......... Don Macleod Sales: Deb McEachern, Ginni Todd, Laurie Thompson, Cindy Jobin, Gail Morse, Deborah Tiffin Editorial comment The true nature of community policing The message relayed by Scugog's top police official at a meeting last week may have seemed to convey the obvious, but it bore stating, and repeating: It is the responsibility of the whole community -- not just the police -- to see that the law is respected and upheld. Inspector Chuck Mercier told members of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce that we -- the merchants and residents of the community -- play an essential role in preventing crime, and in helping bring to justice law-breakers. He cited some examples: 2 Members of a professional shoplifting ring which had already struck several stores for large hauls were arrested and property recovered after an alert business person called police to voice suspicions. This years Santa Claus Yarade roule dl Seem a little ne to Some. J Nee A 58 ( lo o. / | a TTR i op NITY A WN <S\ yi / \) EIR li Te ANN PP - J KAPDA PoRT PERRY STAR a The evidence and testimony of a number of Port Perry residents played a key role in the apprehension and eventual conviction of the man who robbed the Bank of Montreal here several years ago, wounding five people in the process. There's a simple formula to fighting crime in communities like this one: Look out for yourself, and your neighbours. For most of us, that's sec- ond nature. It's the way we were raised and have lived, and just what we'd want our neigh- bours to do for us. But it's also a realization and acceptance of responsibility to ourselves and the community; it's the knowledge that keeping the peace is not the job of the police force alone, but of society. We all want and deserve community policing. It happens when we realize not all the players must wear uniforms. To the Editor: Questions on Hydro debt linger year for the average consumer and consid- Bill 35 was passed into law last week, despite vocal objections and votes from the Liberal opposition. Despite government statements to the contrary, we're going to be paying more for our hydro. Bill 35 is showcased as promoting low cost energy through competition; this may or may not happen, but what is certain is the fact that our bills for hydro will soon contain a "surcharge" levy to pay off the stranded debt of Ontario Hydro in the area erably more for farmers, commercial and industrial users. Taxpayers have absorbed prescription cost levies, increased school funding (the parents are raising monies for school play- ground equipment and computers), and this week increased (but still undefined) property taxes. Now we can add hydro increases to our cost burden. Mayor Moffatt's recent Town Hall meet- ing was excellent. We need a similar session of $30 billion. The latter amount varies with each gov- ernment announcement, yet the bill was passed without this amount established. This surcharge will be close to $100 per to understand the ever changing property tax cost issue and the hydro cost surcharge. Over to you, Durham MPP John O'Toole. Art Murcott, Ashburn Random Jotting by J. Peter Hvidsten MISSING SCULPTURE MYSTERY SOLVED A photo and comments about 'missing' pieces of sculpture by fér- mer Nestleton resident Burt Hoskin in this column last week brought immediate reaction. No sooner had the paper hit the street than the Star received calls revealing one of the sculptures is in fact on display inside the Blackstock Recreation Centre, and has been for some time. It was my impression the sculpture was going to be featured outside at the fairgrounds, and | must confess | haven't had the opportunity to visit inside the centre in some time, so was unaware of its presence. ~The second piece, according to township staff, is still in storage at this time and when it will be put on display is yet undetermined. The question of what motivated the comment last week is simple: this column is generally written during non-office hours on Sunday morning. While doing his- torical research for our Remember When column, | came across the article about the purchase of the two pieces of sculpture, and, curious as to their where- abouts, included it in my column. Simple as that... 'SPOOKTACULAR Halloween has come and gone for another year, and during a quick trip around town Sunday morning while on my way to the office to write this week's column, | saw nothing worse than a few pumpkins smashed in the middle of the road. The stern warnings from police over the past few years seem to be working, as Halloween nights have been far less mischievous and violent than a few years back when barns were burned, windows smashed and teens swarmed the downtown, causing havoc, It's good to see clearer heads are prevailing and that Halloween night has been returned to the youngsters * for their annual roundup of goodies from homeowners. And speaking of Halloween, while accompanying the kids around on their "trick or treat" rounds Saturday night, | couldn't help but be impressed with the effort of some homeowners in decorating their properties for this bewitching evening. Special mention should be given to a group of four or five residents along Cochrane St. who go all out to decorate their houses and properties for the occasion. Congratulations! SKETCHES ANNIVERSARY This issue of the Star marks an anniversary of a sort. Sketches of Scugog, the historical column by Paul Arculus which began running in the Star in November 1993, completes its fifth anniversary. There is a tremendous interest in the history of this community, and Paul along with the Star office gets many calls about his columns, which usually provides further information, corrections and general comments. One of the most common comments we receive is... "this information should be put into a book." Well, a book is in the works. In fact, a series of three books by are being compiled by Paul. The first is almost complete, and plans are to publish it next spring. The hard cover book will document the complete history of each lot along Queen St. and areas of the downtown along with pictures, outlining who owned the buildings and men and women who operated business- es in the town over the past 150 years. Anyone interested in Knowing more about the publ cation can give Paul a call. Cn